Russians have increased the intensity of shelling with heavy weapons in the Bakhmut sector. They also started using more advanced equipment and are regrouping troops, Col-Gen Oleksandr Syrskyy, the commander of the Eastern Military Group, said on Telegram.
"Bakhmut. Heavy defence continues. I visited our soldiers in the combat areas and met the commanders of combat units," he said.
Syrskyy added that it is important to make decisions as quickly as possible and predict the enemy's actions.
"Live communication with the commanders allows us to understand the situation in detail and plan future actions," he stressed.
According to Syrskyy, Russia's actions show that it is not going to change its plans and is doing everything possible to take control of Bakhmut and continue its offensive.
"As of today, the Defence Forces have managed to foil the enemy's plans in the Bakhmut sector. But the Russians still hope to capture the city by 9 May. Our task is to prevent this from happening," the commander said.